This monthly recap of December 2016 worldwide public holidays news and updates,
covering all the countries of the world, is based on our daily review of hundreds of on-line newspapers, government sites, and institutional sources,
and over a decade of experience following worldwide public holidays, to place current events in context, and anticipate on
possible future changes.

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Malta 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Malta Department of Information-Government of Malta) - Summary: Malta's Government has published its annual official list of Malta national holidays and non-working public holidays in Malta for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Malta news and updates.

Tunisia December 17 Public Holiday Update (Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse-TAP) - Summary: The organizing committee of the ARP ("Assemblée des représentants du peuple") which had been at the origin of the introduction of a bill that would declare December 17 as a new annual non-working public holiday in Tunisia, has been sent back for redrafting. Links: full story and other Tunisia news and updates.

St Vincent and the Grenadines 2017-2018 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines-Saint Vincent) - Summary: The government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has released its annual list of the official St Vincent and the Grenadines bank holidays and non-working public holidays in St Vincent and the Grenadines for the calendar years 2017-2018. Links: full story and other Saint Vincent and the Grenadines news and updates.

Mauritania 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Mauritanian News Agency-Noakchott) - Summary: The government of Mauritania has released its annual list of official non-working public holidays in Mauritania for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Mauritania news and updates.

Ghana 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Ghana Government Portal-Accra) - Summary: Ghana's government has released its annual list of official non-working lay and religious non-working public holidays in Ghana for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Ghana news and updates.

Cameroon Public Holiday January 2 (Source: Présidence de la République du Cameroun-Yaoundé) - Summary: The President of Cameroon, Paul Biya, has signed another decree declaring Monday, January 2, 2017, as a day in lieu non-working public holiday (feriée chômée sur toute l'étendue du territoire de la république du Cameroun) due to the annual upcoming, January 1st, non-working public holiday of Cameroon falling on a Sunday in 2017. Links: full story and other Cameroon news and updates.

Togolese Public Holidays January 1-2 (Source: Primature du Togo-Lome) - Summary: The government of Togo has issued a communiqué announcing that Monday, January 2, 2017, had been declared as a one-off non-working public holiday throughout Togo ("chômée et payée sur toute l'étendue du territoire national"). Links: full story and other Togo news and updates.

Chilean Public Holidays Amendments Gazetted (Source: Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social-Valparaiso) - Summary: The amendments to Chile's public holidays legislation, the recently-voted Ley 20.983, were promulgated last Tuesday and published in Chile's official gazette today. Links: full story and other Chile news and updates.

Slovenian 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Slovenska tiskovna agencija-Ljubljana) - Summary: The Government of Slovenia has announced its annual official list of Slovenian bank holidays and non-working public holidays in Slovenia for the calendar year 2017, including the recently reinstated January 2 annual non-working public holiday of Slovenia. Links: full story and other Slovenia news and updates.

Montenegro Shelves November 13 Public Holiday Again (Source: The Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Welfare of Montenegro-Podgorica) - Summary: Montenegro’s government, in a case of "déjà vu", has dropped recent plans to declare the birthday of Petar II Petrovic Njegos a national non-working annual public holiday, after opposition from the Bosniak Party, which represents the Montenegro's significant Bosniak-Muslim minority, and is a member of the ruling government coalition. Links: full story and other Montenegro news and updates.

Trinidad and Tobago 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Trinidad and Tobago Government Portal-Port of Spain) - Summary: The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has released its official list of Trinidad and Tobago bank holidays and of non-working public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Trinidad and Tobago news and updates.

Honduras January 2 Public Holiday Ruled-Out (Source: La Prensa Libre-Tegucigalpa) - Summary: Honduras' "Secretaría de Derechos Humanos, Justicia, Gobernación y Descentralización" has announced that the upcoming annual, Año Nuevo, non-working public holiday of Honduras would not be moved to Monday, January 2, 2017, on account of the said non-working public holiday of Honduras falling on a Sunday in 2017. Links: full story and other Honduras news and updates.

South Sudan Public Holiday January 2 (Source: Government of South Sudan Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development-Juba) - Summary: The Government of South Sudan, through its Undersecretary of Labour, Mary Hillary Wani, has announced that Monday, January 2, 2017, would be an official non-working public holiday in South Sudan "because the New Year falls on Sunday the 1st of January, 2017". Links: full story and other South Sudan news and updates.

Kenyan Public Holiday January 2 (Source: Kenya Broadcasting Corporation-Nairobi) - Summary: The Interior Cabinet Secretary of the Kenyan government, Joseph Nkaissery, has announced that the Kenyan government had declared Monday, January 2, 2017, as a day in lieu non-working public holiday in Kenya for the upcoming New Year annual public holiday of Kenya which falls on a Sunday in 2017. Links: full story and other Kenya news and updates.

Uzbekistan Public Holiday January 2 (Source: Uzbek National News Agency-Tashkent) - Summary: The President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has signed the resolution "On announcing 2 January 2017 as the day-off" which declares Monday, January 2, 2017, as a one-off non-working public holiday in Uzbekistan, in connection with the celebration of the 2017 New Year in Uzbekistan. Links: full story and other Uzbekistan news and updates.

Indonesian 2017 Bank Holidays Announced (Source: Central Bank of Republic of Indonesia-Jakarta) - Summary: Indonesia's Central Bank, has announced the list of 2017 bank holidays in Indonesia, in addition to the list of 2017 non-working public holidays in Indonesia previously-announced by the government of Indonesia in its annual decree ("Surat Keputusan Bersama (SKB) Hari Libur Nasional dan Cuti Bersama Tahun 2017"). Links: full story and other Indonesia news and updates.

Gabonese Public Holiday January 2 (Source: Gouvernement de la République Gabonaise-Libreville) - Summary: Gabon's Ministère du Travail, de l’emploi, de la formation technique et professionnelle et de l’insertion professionnelle has announced that the upcoming annual New Year non-working public holidays in the Gabon would be extended by a day with the declaration of Monday, January 2, 2016, as an additional non-working public holiday in the Gabon. Links: full story and other Gabon news and updates.

Sint Maarten 2017 and 2018 Public Holidays Clarified (Source: Government of Sint Maarten-Great Bay) - Summary: The Sint Maarten Labour Department has issued a document clarifying the day in lieu rules referred to in its recently-released list of the official non-working public holidays in Sint Maarten for the upcoming calendar years 2017 and 2018. Links: full story and other Sint Maarten news and updates.

Pakistan Bank Holiday January 2 (Source: The State Bank of Pakistan-Karachi) - Summary: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has in turn announced that the State Bank of Pakistan and the commercial banks of Pakistan would observe their annual accounts closing bank holiday on Monday, January 2, 2017. Links: full story and other Pakistan news and updates.

Algerian 2017 New Year Public Holiday (Source: Direction Générale de la Fonction Publique-Algiers) - Summary: The Algerian Ministry of Labour (Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Sécurité Sociale) has announced that Sunday, January 1, 2017, had been declared as a non-working public holiday in Algeria ("journée chômée et payée") on account of the Western New Year non-working public holiday in Algeria for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Algeria news and updates.

Bahrain Bank Holiday January 1st (Source: Central Bank of Bahrain-Manama) - Summary: The Acting Director of the Banking Services Directorate of the Central Bank of Bahrain, Hesa Abdulla Al Sada, has announced that the Central Bank of Bahrain had declared a bank holiday in Bahrain on Sunday, January 1, 2016, on account of the annual non-working public holiday in Bahrain to mark Western New Year. Links: full story and other Bahrain news and updates.

Paraguay Bank Holiday December 30 (Source: Banco Central del Paraguay-Asunción) - Summary: Paraguay's Central Bank (Banco Central del Paraguay) has announced that Friday, December 30, 2016, would be a bank holiday throughout Paraguay. Links: full story and other Paraguay news and updates.

Kuwaiti New Year 2017 Public Holiday (Source: Kuwait Civil Service Commission-Kuwait City) - Summary: The Kuwaiti Civil Service Commission has announced that it has declared a public holiday in Kuwait, on Sunday, January 1, 2017, the date of the annual New Year's day non-working public holiday in Kuwait. Links: full story and other Kuwait news and updates.

Pakistan 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Pakistan's Ministry of Interior-Islamabad) - Summary: Pakistan's Ministry of Interior has issued a circular "regarding Public and Optional Holidays for the calendar year-2017" which contains its annual list of the expected dates for non-working public holidays and optional holidays for the calendar year 2017 in Pakistan. Links: full story and other Pakistan news and updates.

Botswana 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Botswana Press Agency-Gaborone) - Summary: The government of Botswana has released its annual list of official non-working bank holidays and public holidays in Botswana for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Botswana news and updates.

Bahrain New Year 2017 Public Holiday (Source: Bahrain News Agency-BNA) - Summary: Bahrain's Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, has finally issued a circular declaring Sunday, January 1, 2016, as the annual non-working public holiday in Bahrain to mark the upcoming Western New Year non-working public holiday of Bahrain for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Bahrain news and updates.

Senegal Public Holiday December 26 (Source: Site Officiel du Gouvernement du Sénégal-Dakar) - Summary: Earlier this evening, Senegal's President, Macky Sall, announced that he had decided to declare Monday, December 26, 2016, as an additional non-working public holiday in Senegal ("journée chômée et payée"). Links: full story and other Sénégal news and updates.

Nepalese Public Holiday December 25 (Source: Nepalese Ministry of Home Affairs-Kathmandu) - Summary: Ramjee Dahal, the press advisor of Nepal's Home Affairs Minister, Bimalendra Nidhi, has announced that the government of Nepal had decided to declare Sunday, December 25, 2016, as a full non-working public holiday in Nepal on account of the annual public holiday for Christmas. Links: full story and other Nepal news and updates.

Tongan 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Tonga Ministry of Information and Communications-Nuku'alofa) - Summary: Tonga's Ministry of Information and Communications in conjunction with the Prime Minister's Office of the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga, has issued a communiqué announcing its annual list of official non-working public holidays in Tonga for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Tonga news and updates.

Bosnian Public Holidays January 1-2-3 (Source: Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina News-Sarajevo) - Summary: The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) has announced that, as per the federal Law on Public Holidays of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the annual, 2-day, New Year, non-working public holidays of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will run from Sunday, January 1, until Tuesday, January 3, 2017. Links: full story and other Bosnia and Herzegovina news and updates.

Nigerian 2016-2017 Year-End Public Holidays (Source: Official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria-Abuja) - Summary: The Minister of Interior of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Abdulrahman Dambazau, via his Acting Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido, has announced that the Nigerian Government, had declared Monday, December 26, 2016, Tuesday, December 27, 2016, and Monday, January 2, 2017, as non-working public holidays throughout Nigeria. Links: full story and other Nigeria news and updates.

Cameroon Public Holiday December 26 (Source: Présidence de la République du Cameroun-Yaoundé) - Summary: The President of Cameroon, Paul Biya, has signed a decree declaring Monday, December 26, 2016, as a day in lieu non-working public holiday (feriée chômée sur toute l'étendue du territoire de la république du Cameroun) due to the annual upcoming Christmas Day non-working public holiday of Cameroon falling on a Sunday in 2016. Links: full story and other Cameroon news and updates.

Cape Verde 2016-2017 Year-End Public Holidays (Source: Boletim Oficial-República de Cabo Verde) - Summary: The government of Cape Verde has, as per custom, declared 2016-2017 year-end one off full day public sector holidays in Cape Verde (tolerância de ponto) on Monday, December 26, 2016, and Monday, January 2017, both dates for the full day. Links: full story and other Cape Verde news and updates.

Andorra 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Département de statistique du Ministère des Finances et de la Fonction Publique-Andorre) - Summary: Andorra's "Ministère des Finances et de la Fonction Publique" has released its annual list of the official bank holidays and public holidays in Andorrra, for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Andorra news and updates.

Kenyan Public Holiday December 27 (Source: Kenya Broadcasting Corporation-Nairobi) - Summary: The Interior Cabinet Secretary of the Kenyan government, Joseph Nkaissery, has announced that the Kenyan government had declared Tuesday, December 27, 2016, as a day in lieu non-working public holiday in Kenya for the upcoming Christmas and Boxing Day annual public holidays of Kenya which overlap the weekend in 2016. Links: full story and other Kenya news and updates.

Sint Maarten 2017 and 2018 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of Sint Maarten-Great Bay) - Summary: The Sint Maarten Labour Department has released the official annual list of non-working public holidays in Sint Maarten for the upcoming calendar years 2017 and 2018, based on the "National Ordinance regulating Work, Working Hours and Overtime” (Arbeidsregeling). Links: full story and other Sint Maarten news and updates.

Peruvian 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Diario Oficial El Peruano-Lima) - Summary: The government of Peru has released its annual list of the official non-working public holidays for both the private and public sectors of Peru for the upcoming calendar year 2017 ("feriados para sector público y privado"). Links: full story and other Peru news and updates.

Montenegro Ressucitates November 13 Public Holiday (Source: The Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Welfare of Montenegro-Podgorica) - Summary: The Montenegrin Government has once again tabled amendments to the "Law on Public Holidays of Montenegro", which stipulate that November 13, the day of the birth of Petar II Petrovic Njegos, should be a new annual non-working public holiday in Montenegro. Links: full story and other Montenegro news and updates.

Ghana Public Holidays December 27 and January 2 (Source: Ghana News Agency-Accra) - Summary: Ghana's Minister of the Interior, Prosper Bani, has announced that Ghana's President, John Dramani Mahama, had declared Monday, December 27, 2016, and Monday, January 2, 2017, as a statutory non-working public holidays in Ghana on account of the upcoming December 25 and January 1 annual public holidays in Ghana, falling on a weekend. Links: full story and other Ghana news and updates.

Bahamas 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: The Government of the Bahamas-Nassau) - Summary: The Government of the Bahamas has released its annual official list of the non-working public holidays in the Bahamas, for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other The Bahamas news and updates.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Public Holiday December 27 (Source: Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines-Saint Vincent) - Summary: The Office of the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines has announced that Tuesday, December 27, 2016, would be a non-working public holiday in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Links: full story and other Saint Vincent and the Grenadines news and updates.

UAE New Year 2017 Public Holiday (Source: Emirates News Agency-WAM) - Summary: The UAE's Federal Authority for Human Resources has issued a circular stating that the upcoming annual public sector holiday in the UAE for the upcoming Western New Year 2017 non-working public holidays in the UAE would be Sunday, January 1, 2017. Links: full story and other UAE (United Arab Emirates) news and updates.

Mexico 2017 Bank Holidays Gazetted (Source: Diario Oficial de la Federación-Ciudad de México) - Summary: The Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores of Mexico has gazetted in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF 20/12/2016) its annual official list of the dates of Mexican 2017 bank holidays. Links: full story and other Mexico news and updates.

Jordan New Year 2017 Bank Holiday (Source: The Central Bank of Jordan-Amman) - Summary: The Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, Ziad Fariz, has issued the Memorandum 53/2016, ref. 10/2/16367, which announces Sunday, January 1, 2017, as the date of the upcoming Western New Year bank holiday in Jordan. Links: full story and other Jordan news and updates.

Chilean January 2 Public Holiday Voted (Source: Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social-Valparaiso) - Summary: Chile's lower house of Parliament (Cámara de Diputados) has approved the bill recently sent by President Bachelet, the Ley 20.983 declaring a "Feriado Adicional de Año Nuevo" which declares January 2 as a day in lieu non-working public holiday in Chile. Links: full story and other Chile news and updates.

Timor Leste 2016-2017 Year-End Public Holidays (Source: Press Release Government Of Timor-Leste-Dili) - Summary: The government of Timor Leste has announced that it had once again decided to declare 2 additional year-end public sector holidays ("Toleránsia de Pontu ba loron 26 fulan dezembru tinan 2016, no mos loron 2 fulan janeiru tinan 2017"), this time on December 26, 2016, and on January 2, 2017. Links: full story and other East Timor news and updates.

Ecuador Public Holidays Changes Become Law (Source: Agencia de Noticias del Ecuador y Sudamérica-ANDES) - Summary: Unsurprisingly, Ecuador's President, Rafael Correa, has signed into law the legislative changes to Ecuador's public holidays legislation, recently passed by Ecuador's legislature, and sent to the legislature by President Correa, a couple of months ago. Links: full story and other Ecuador news and updates.

Taiwan Public Holidays Amendments Promulgated (Source: Taiwan Central Personnel Administration-Taipei) - Summary: The amendments to the Labor Standards Act implementing a five-day workweek and an overall reduction of the number of annual public holidays in Taiwan from 19 to 12, passed by Taiwan's Legislative Assembly earlier this month, were promulgated by Taiwan's Presidential Office earlier today. Links: full story and other Taiwan news and updates.

Macedonian Catholic Christmas 2016 Public Holiday (Source: Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Macedonia-Skopje) - Summary: Macedonia's Ministry of Labour and Social Policy has announced that Sunday, December 26, 2016, had been declared a non-working public holiday in Macedonia on account of the annual Catholic Christmas non-working public holiday for "Catholic citizens" in Macedonia. Links: full story and other Macedonia news and updates.

US Virgin Islands 2016-2017 Year-End Public Holidays (Source: The Governor's Office-Charlotte Amalie) - Summary: The Governor of the US Virgin Islands, Kenneth Mapp, has once again declared one-off additional public sector holidays in the US Virgin Islands to be observed as public sector holidays in the US Virgin Islands on the occasion of Christmas 2016 and New Year 2017. Links: full story and other Virgin Islands, U.S. news and updates.

Zimbabwe Public Holidays December 27 and January 2 (Source: The Herald-Harare) - Summary: Zimbabwe's Home Affairs Ministers has confirmed that Tuesday, December 27, 2016, and Monday, January 2, 2017, would be non-working public holidays in Zimbabwe. Links: full story and other Zimbabwe news and updates.

Jordan Bank Holiday December 25 (Source: The Central Bank of Jordan-Amman) - Summary: The Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, Ziad Fariz, has issued the Memorandum 52/2016, ref. 10/2/16366, which announces Sunday, December 25, 2016, as the date of the upcoming Christmas Day bank holiday in Jordan. Links: full story and other Jordan news and updates.

Tunisian 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse-TAP) - Summary: The government of Tunisia has released its official list of official annual non-working public holidays in Tunisia for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Tunisia news and updates.

Bahamas Public Holiday January 10 (Source: The Government of the Bahamas-Nassau) - Summary: The Government of the Bahamas has released a Cabinet Office Public Notice to advise the population of the Bahamas that, contrary to earlier announcements, the forthcoming public holiday commemorating Majority Rule will be observed on the actual anniversary date, namely, Tuesday, January 10, 2017. Links: full story and other The Bahamas news and updates.

Bulgaria Public Holidays Legislation Overhaul Official (Source: Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria-Sofia) - Summary: Bulgaria's Parliament has approved in a second and final reading, the changes to Bulgaria's public holidays legislation recently proposed by Bulgaria's Minister of Labour, Zornitca Rusinova, and approved by the Bulgarian Cabinet late last month, to put an end to the practice of declaring one-off bridge public holidays in Bulgaria, whenever a fixed-date public holiday in Bulgaria occurred on a Tuesday or a Thursday. Links: full story and other Bulgaria news and updates.

Slovenian January 2 Public Holiday Veto Fails (Source: STA- Slovenska tiskovna agencija-Ljubljana) - Summary: The Slovenian upper chamber of parliament, the National Council, has rejected a motion to veto the recently-passed amendments to the Slovenian Public Holidays Act, which reverse the cancellation of the annual January 2 non-working public holiday in Slovenia voted under the center-right Janez Janša government in May 2012. Links: full story and other Slovenia news and updates.

Central African Republic Additional 2016-2017 Public Holidays Ruled-Out (Source: Primature Gouvernement de la Centrafrique RCA-Bangui) - Summary: The Minister of Labour ("Ministre du Travail et de la sécurité sociale") of the Central African Republic, Gaston Mackouzangba, has issued a communiqué ruling-out the declaration of Monday, December 26, 2016, and/or Monday, January 2, 2017, as additional non-working public holidays in the Central African Republic due to the upcoming annual Christmas and New Year public holidays of the Central African Republic falling on a Sunday. Links: full story and other Central African Republic news and updates.

Mozambique 2016-2017 Year-End Public Holidays (Source: Agencia de Informção de Moçambique-Maputo) - Summary: Mozambique's Ministry of Labour (Ministério do Trabalho, Emprego e Segurança Social - MITESS) has announced that Monday, December 26, 2016, and Monday, January 2, 2017, would be non-working public holidays in Mozambique. Links: full story and other Mozambique news and updates.

Mali 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Primature Portail Officiel du Gouvernement du Mali-Bamako) - Summary: Mali's Government has released its annual list of the official non-working public holidays in Mali for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Mali news and updates.

Icelandic 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: The Central Bank of Iceland-Seðlabanki Íslands) - Summary: The government of Iceland has released its annual official list of non-working public holidays and bank holidays in Iceland for the upcoming year 2017. Links: full story and other Iceland news and updates.

Laos 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: The Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic-Ventiane) - Summary: The government of Laos has released its annual official list of non-working public holidays in Laos for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Laos news and updates.

Indonesian 2017 Public Holidays Amendments Gazetted (Source: Situs Resmi Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Kesejahteraan Rakyat-Jakarta) - Summary: The government of Indonesia has gazetted its recently-amended annual decree ("Surat Keputusan Bersama (SKB) Hari Libur Nasional dan Cuti Bersama Tahun 2017") designating the list of Indonesian public holidays and collective leave days ("cuti bersama") for the calendar year 2017, for both the private and public sectors. Links: full story and other Indonesia news and updates.

Solomon Islands 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Solomon Times-Honiara) - Summary: The Solomon Islands Ministry for Home Affairs, the ministry responsible for declaring national public holidays in the Solomon Islands, has released the list of annual non-working public holidays in the Solomon Islands for the upcoming year 2017. Links: full story and other Solomon Islands news and updates.

Samoan Public Holidays December 21 (Source: Samoan Ministry Of Commerce, Industry And Labour-Matagaluega o Pisinisi, Alamanuia, Leipa) - Summary: The Minister of Education, Sports and Culture of Samoa, Loau Keneti Sio, has announced that the government of Samoa would declare a half-day non-working public holiday in Samoa, on Wednesday, December 21, 2016, "in celebration of Lupesoliai Joseph Parker’s historic win over Andy Ruiz Jnr to secure the world heavyweight title". Links: full story and other Samoa news and updates.

Nauru 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: The Government of the Republic of Nauru-Yaren) - Summary: The Government of Nauru has released its annual list of non-working public holidays in Nauru for the calendar year 2017 in the Republic Of Nauru Government Gazette Published By Authority G. N. No. 984/2016. Links: full story and other Nauru news and updates.

Australian 2017 Queensland Public Holidays Amended (Source: Department of Justice and Attorney-General-State of Queensland) - Summary: The Department of Justice and Attorney-General of Australia's State of Queensland has issued a revised list of the dates of the annual non-working public holidays for 2017 in Australia's State of Queensland. Links: full story and other Australia news and updates.

India 2017 Jharkhand Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of Jharkhand-Ranchi) - Summary: The Government of India's state of Jharkhand has announced its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Jharkhand for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other India news and updates.

Chilean January 2 Public Holiday Reboot (Source: Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social-Valparaiso) - Summary: Chile's President, Michelle Bachelet, has announced that she was about to send a bill to congress which would resuscitate the 2011 attempts at declaring January 2 as a day in lieu non-working public holiday in Chile. Links: full story and other Chile news and updates.

India 2017 Punjab Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of Punjab-Chandigarh) - Summary: The Government of India's state of Punjab has announced its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Punjab for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other India news and updates.

Vanuatu 2016-2017 Year-End Public Holidays (Source: Government of Vanuatu-Port Vila) - Summary: John Slovan, the Private Secretary to the President and Head of State of Vanuatu, Baldwin Lonsdale, has announced the dates that would be non-working public holidays in Vanuatu in late December 2016 and early January 2017. Links: full story and other Vanuatu news and updates.

Mali Public Holiday December 19 (Source: Primature Portail Officiel du Gouvernement du Mali-Bamako) - Summary: The Government of Mali, via the Labour Ministry's Chief of Staff, Yaya Gologo, has declared Monday, December 19, 2016, as a non-working day in lieu public holiday in Mali ("journée chômée et payée") on account of the upcoming Baptism of the Prophet annual public holiday of Mali, falling on a Sunday. Links: full story and other Mali news and updates.

Norfolk Island Amended Public Holidays Legislation Gazetted (Source: Norfolk Island Government Gazette-Kingston) - Summary: The "Norfolk Island Continued Laws Amendment (Public Holidays) Ordinance 2016" initiated by the Administrator of the Australian Territory of Norfolk Island, Gary Hardgrave, to specify in detail the dates and occurrences of non-working public holidays on Norfolk Island, was gazetted on December 14, 2016, and took effect the next day. Links: full story and other Norfolk Island news and updates.

Botswana Public Holiday January 3 (Source: Botswana Press Agency-Gaborone) - Summary: The government of Botswana has announced that Tuesday, January 3, 2017, would be a day in lieu non-working public holiday in Botswana, on account of January 1st, 2017, falling on a Sunday. Links: full story and other Botswana news and updates.

Jamaican Public Holiday January 2 (Source: Jamaica Information Service-JIS) - Summary: The Director of Legal Services of Jamaica's Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), Camille Bennett-Campbell, has announced that the upcoming New Year's Day non-working public holiday of Jamaica would be observed on Monday, January 2, 2017. Links: full story and other Jamaica news and updates.

Tunisia Mulls December 17 Public Holiday (Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse-TAP) - Summary: A group of 20 Tunisian parliamentarians has introduced a bill that would declare December 17 as a new annual non-working public holiday in Tunisia, to mark the regime change of 5 years ago. Links: full story and other Tunisia news and updates.

India 2017 Bihar Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of Bihar-Patna) - Summary: The Government of India's state of Bihar has announced its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Bihar for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other India news and updates.

Malawi Public Holidays December 25-26-27 (Source: Government of the Republic of Malawi-Lilongwe) - Summary: The Principal Secretary to the Ministry for Local Government and Rural Development of Malawi, Stuart Ligomeka, has announced that Tuesday, December 27, 2016, would be a day in lieu non-working public holiday in Malawi as Christmas Day falls on a Sunday and the next day is already a non-working public holiday in Malawi for Boxing Day. Links: full story and other Malawi news and updates.

Nicaragua 2016-2017 Year-End Public Holidays (Source: Ministerio del Trabajo de Nicaragua-MITRAB) - Summary: Nicaragua's Coordinadora del Consejo de Comunicación y Ciudadanía, Rosario Murillo, has announced that MITRAB (Ministerio del Trabajo) had once again declared extended public sector non-working public holidays in Nicaragua centered around the Nicaraguan public holidays for Christmas 2016 and New Year's Day 2017. Links: full story and other Nicaragua news and updates.

Mongolian 105th National Liberation Public Holiday December 29 (Source: Montsame Agency-Ulaanbaatar) - Summary: The Mongolian government has announced that Thursday, December 29, 2016, would be a non-working public holiday in Mongolia, on account of the upcoming commemoration of Mongolian "105th jubilee of the Victory of National Liberation Movement and the Restoration of Independence of Mongolia". Links: full story and other Mongolia news and updates.

Costa Rica 2016-2017 Year-End Public Holidays Ruled-Out (Source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social de Costa Rica-San José) - Summary: The Costa Rican Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) has issued a communiqué ruling-out the declaration of Monday, December 26, 2016, and Monday, January 2, 2017, as additional non-working public holidays in Costa Rica due to the upcoming annual Christmas and New Year public holidays of Costa Rica falling on a Sunday. Links: full story and other Costa Rica news and updates.

Montserrat Public Holiday December 31 (Source: Government of Montserrat-Brades) - Summary: Montserrat's Office of the Deputy Governor has announced that the Governor of Montserrat, Elizabeth Carrier, "acting on the advice of Cabinet declare[d] that Saturday 31 December 2016 be reserved and kept as a public holiday throughout Montserrat". Links: full story and other Montserrat news and updates.

Qatar Public Holiday December 18 (Source: Qatari News Agency-QNA) - Summary: The Qatari Government has announced that Sunday, December 18, 2016, would be the date of the upcoming 2016 public holiday in Qatar to commemorate the annual National Day public holiday of Qatar. Links: full story and other Qatar news and updates.

Swaziland Incwala Public Holiday December 17 (Source: Government of Swaziland Ministry of Home Affairs-Mbabane) - Summary: Swaziland's Home Affairs Minister, Princess Tsandzile, has announced that the upcoming Incwala annual non-working public holiday in Swaziland would occur on Saturday, December 17, 2016. Links: full story and other Swaziland news and updates.

Bahrain 2016 National Day Bank Holidays (Source: Central Bank of Bahrain-Manama) - Summary: The Acting Director of the Banking Services Directorate of the Central Bank of Bahrain, Hesa Abdulla Al Sada, has announced that the Central Bank of Bahrain had declared bank holidays in Bahrain for Friday and Saturday, December 16 an 17, 2016, to mark the upcoming annual National Day bank holiday and the Bahrain bank holiday for the Anniversary of the accession to the throne of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Links: full story and other Bahrain news and updates.

Kyrgyzstan January 2017 Public Holidays Amended (Source: Ministry of Labor Employment and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic-Bishkek) - Summary: The Ministry of Labor, Employment and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic has announced that January 1 to 3, 2017, would be non-working public holidays in Kyrgyzstan, but that Monday, January 9, 2017, would be a regular day for Tuesday, January 3 being a one-off non-working public holiday in Kyrgyzstan in 2017. Links: full story and other Kyrgyzstan news and updates.

Bahrain 2016 National Day Public Holidays (Source: Bahrain News Agency-BNA) - Summary: Bahrain's Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, has issued a circular declaring Friday and Saturday, December 16 an 17, 2016, as non-working public holidays in Bahrain to mark the upcoming annual National Day and the 17th Anniversary of the accession to the throne of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Links: full story and other Bahrain news and updates.

Slovenian January 2 Public Holiday Restored (Source: STA- Slovenska tiskovna agencija-Ljubljana) - Summary: The Slovenian National Assembly has voted to approve amendments to the Slovenian Public Holidays Act, introduced by the Modern Centre Party (SMC) and which would reverse the cancellation of the annual January 2 non-working public holiday voted under the center-right Janez Janša government in May 2012. Links: full story and other Slovenia news and updates.

Philippines Amends Public Holidays For 2016 and 2017 (Source: Philippine Information Agency-Manila) - Summary: Philippines Acting Executive Secretary, Menardo Guevarra, has announced that he had signed Proclamation No.117, declaring Monday, December 26, 2016, and Monday, January 2, 2017, as day in lieu non-working public holiday of the Philippines, in addition to the previously released lists of official public holidays in the Philippines for the year 2016 and for the year 2017. Links: full story and other Philippines news and updates.

India 2017 Gujarat Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of Gujarat-Gandhinagar) - Summary: The Government of India's state of Gujarat has announced its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Gujarat for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other India news and updates.

Ecuador Legislature Approves Public Holidays Changes (Source: Agencia de Noticias del Ecuador y Sudamérica-ANDES) - Summary: The legislative changes to Ecuador's public holidays legislation, sent by Ecuador's President, Rafael Correa, a couple of months ago, has been approved by a vote of 84 for, 2 against, and 25 abstentions. Links: full story and other Ecuador news and updates.

Paraguayan 2016-2017 Year-End Public Holidays Ruled-Out (Source: Presidencia de la República del Paraguay-Asunción) - Summary: The Paraguayan head of presidential decrees, Édgar Rodas, has released a communiqué ruling-out the declaration of Monday, December 26, 2016, and Monday, January 2, 2017, as additional non-working public holidays in Paraguay due to the upcoming annual Christmas and New Year public holidays of Paraguay falling on a Sunday. Links: full story and other Paraguay news and updates.

Panamanian 2016-2017 Year-End Public Holidays (Source: Presidencia de la República de Panamá-Panama City) - Summary: A spokesperson for Panama's Presidency has announced that both Monday, December 26, 2016, and Monday, January 2, 2017, would be day in lieu non-working public holidays in Panama, on account of Christmas 2016 and New Year's Day 2017 falling on a Sunday. Links: full story and other Panama news and updates.

Bhutanese Public Holiday December 17 (Source: Royal Civil Service Commission of Bhutan-Thimphu) - Summary: The Royal Civil Service Commission of the Government of Bhutan has announced that Saturday, December 17, 2016, would be a non-working public holiday throughout Bhutan on the occasion of the upcoming annual National Day Bhutanese non-working public holiday, marking the anniversary of the coronation of the First King of Bhutan, Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck, on December 17, 1907. Links: full story and other Bhutan news and updates.

Costa Rican 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social de Costa Rica-San José) - Summary: Costa Rica's Ministry of Labour (Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social - MTSS) has released the annual list of official non-working public holiday in Costa Rica for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Costa Rica news and updates.

Estonian 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Vabariigi Valitsus-Tallinn) - Summary: The Government of Estonia (Vabariigi Valitsus) has announced its annual official list of Estonian national holidays, Estonian flag days, and non-working public holidays in Estonia for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Estonia news and updates.

Cyprus 2018 Bank Holidays Released (Source: Central Bank of Cyprus-Nicosia) - Summary: The Central Bank of Cyprus has released its annual official list of bank holidays to be observed in Cyprus for the calendar year 2018, in line with the list of annual non-working public holidays in Cyprus for the calendar year 2018. Links: full story and other Cyprus news and updates.

India 2017 Jammu and Kashmir Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of Jammu and Kashmir-Srinigar) - Summary: The Government of India's state of Jammu and Kashmir has announced its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Jammu and Kashmir for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other India news and updates.

Antigua and Barbuda 2016-2017 Year-End Public Holidays Clarified (Source: Government of Antigua and Barbuda-St. John's) - Summary: The Governor of Antigua and Barbuda has issued a statement clarifying the dates of upcoming additional 2016-2017 year-end public holidays in Antigua and Barbuda. Links: full story and other Antigua and Barbuda news and updates.

Bolivia Extends 2016-2017 Year-End Public Holidays (Source: Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social-La Paz) - Summary: The head of Bolivia's Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Previsión Social, has announced the declaration of 2 additional 2016-2017 year-end non-working public holidays in Bolivia. Links: full story and other Bolivia news and updates.

Nigerian Public Holiday December 12 (Source: Official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria-Abuja) - Summary: The Minister of Interior of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, via his Acting Permanent Secretary, Muhammadu Maccido, has announced that the Nigerian Government, had declared Monday, December 12, 2016, as a non-working public holiday throughout Nigeria to mark the Eid-El Maulud (birth of Prophet Muhammad) celebration. Links: full story and other Nigeria news and updates.

Libyan 2016 Prophet's Birthday Public Holiday (Source: Libyan News Agency-LANA) - Summary: Libya's ruling National Transitional Council has announced that Sunday, December 11, 2016, had been declared a non-working public holiday throughout Libya on account of the upcoming annual Mawlid Al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet) non-working public holiday in Libya for 2016. Links: full story and other Libya news and updates.

India 2017 Delhi NCT Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of Delhi NCT-New Delhi) - Summary: The Government of India's Delhi NCT (National Capital Territory) has announced its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's Delhi NCT for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other India news and updates.

India 2017 Chhattisgarh Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of Chhattisgarh-Raipur) - Summary: The Government of India's state of Chhattisgarh has announced its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Chhattisgarh for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other India news and updates.

Benin Public Holiday December 11 (Source: Site officiel du gouvernement du Bénin-Cotonou) - Summary: The government of Benin has released the communiqué 040/MTFPAS/DC/SGM/DGT/DRP/SA, signed by Benin's Ministry of Labour's Cabinet Director, David Vidéhouénou, on behalf of the Ministre Du Travail, De La Fonction Publique Et Des Affaires Sociales, Adidjatou Mathys, announcing that Sunday, December 11, 2016, had been declared as a non-working public holiday throughout Bénin on account of the upcoming annual non-working public holidays in the Bénin of the "fête de Maoloud" (the Prophet's Birthday). Links: full story and other Bénin news and updates.

Malaysian State Public Holiday December 13 (Source: Bernama News Agency-Petaling Jaya) - Summary: The State Secretary of Malaysia's State of Selangor, Datuk Mohd Amin Ahmad Ahya, has declared that Tuesday, December 13, 2016, as a one-off additional non-working public holiday in the State of Selangor, to compensate the public holiday in Selangor for to the 71st birthday of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah falling on a Sunday in 2016. Links: full story and other Malaysia news and updates.

Belarus 2017 Bank Holidays Announced (Source: The Central Bank of Belarus, Belarusbank-Minsk) - Summary: The Central Bank of Belarus (Belarusbank) has in turn released its annual list of official bank holidays in Belarus for the upcoming calendar year 2017 (except Saturday and Sunday). Links: full story and other Belarus news and updates.

Jamaican 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Jamaica Information Service-JIS) - Summary: The Government of Jamaica has released the official list of non-working public holidays in Jamaica for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Jamaica news and updates.

Lebanon 2017 Bank Holidays Announced (Source: Banque du Liban-Beirut) - Summary: The Banque du Liban (Lebanon's Central Bank) has announced its annual list of Lebanese non-working bank holidays in Lebanon for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Lebanon news and updates.

India 2017 Chandigarh Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of Chandigarh-Chandigarh) - Summary: The Government of India's Union Territory of Chandigarh has announced its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's Union Territory of Chandigarh for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other India news and updates.

UAE Prophet's Birthday Public Holiday December 12 (Source: Emirates News Agency-WAM) - Summary: The UAE's Federal Authority for Human Resources has issued a circular stating that the upcoming annual public sector holiday in the UAE for the Milad Al Nabi (Prophet's Birthday) had been declared for Sunday, December 11, 2016. Links: full story and other UAE (United Arab Emirates) news and updates.

Taiwan Public Holidays Reduction Official (Source: Taiwan Central Personnel Administration-Taipei) - Summary: The amendments to the Labor Standards Act pushed for the past half-year by Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), in a break with its promise before coming to power last May 20, implementing a five-day workweek and an overall reduction of the number of annual public holidays in Taiwan from 19 to 12, as is already the case for civil servants and the many service businesses that already follow a five-day work week, have finally been passed by Taiwan's Legislative Assembly. Links: full story and other Taiwan news and updates.

Namibian 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: The Namibian Ministry of Information and Communication Technology-Windhoek) - Summary: The Namibian Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has released its annual list of the official non-working public holidays in Namibia, for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Namibia news and updates.

Bahrain Prophet's Birthday Public Holiday December 11 (Source: Bahrain News Agency-BNA) - Summary: Bahrain's Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, has issued a circular declaring Sunday, December 11, 2016, as the date of the upcoming annual non-working 2016 public holiday in Bahrain to mark the Anniversary of the Birthday of Prophet Mohammed non-working public holiday of Bahrain. Links: full story and other Bahrain news and updates.

Omani 2016 Prophet's Birthday Public Holiday December 12 (Source: Oman News Agency-Muscat) - Summary: Omani authorities have announced the dates of the upcoming annual 2016 non-working public holiday in Oman for the Prophet's Birthday, for both the private sector and the public sector of Oman. Links: full story and other Oman news and updates.

Venezuelan Bank Holiday December 12 (Source: Superintendencia de Instituciones del Sector Bancario-Sudeban) - Summary: The Venezuelan regulatory body for the banking sector, Sudeban (Superintendencia de Instituciones del Sector Bancario) has announced that Monday, December 12, 2016, would be another bank holiday in Venezuela, on account of the annual "Día de la Inmaculada Concepción" bank holiday of Venezuela. Links: full story and other Venezuela news and updates.

Fiji 2017 Public Holidays Gazetted (Source: Ministry of Information-Suva) - Summary: The Fiji Governing Cabinet has officialized by publishing it, an amended version of the previously-announced Gazette Notice, which lists the dates of the official non-working public holidays in Fiji for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Fiji news and updates.

Jordan Prophet's Birthday Bank Holiday December 12 (Source: The Central Bank of Jordan-Amman) - Summary: The Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, Ziad Fariz, has issued the Memorandum 48/2016, ref. 10/2/15766, which also announces the date of the bank holiday for the upcoming Prophet's Birthday non-working bank holiday in Jordan. Links: full story and other Jordan news and updates.

Nicaragua Public Holidays December 7-8-9 (Source: Ministerio del Trabajo de Nicaragua-MITRAB) - Summary: Nicaragua's Ministry of Labour (MITRAB) has announced that Wednesday and Friday, December 7 and 9, 2016, would be additional public sector non-working public holidays in Nicaragua ("se declaran los días miércoles 07 y viernes 09 de Diciembre del presente año, días de asueto con goce de salario para los trabajadores del sector público") on account of the December 8, annual, Immaculate Conception Day public holiday in Nicaragua. Links: full story and other Nicaragua news and updates.

Malawi 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of the Republic of Malawi-Lilongwe) - Summary: Malawi's Government has announced the annual list of official non-working public holidays in Malawi for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Malawi news and updates.

Antigua and Barbuda 2017 Public Holidays Released (Source: Permanent Secretary Ministry of Legal Affairs-St. John's) - Summary: The Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Legal Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda has released the annual list of official non-working public holidays in Antigua and Barbuda for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Antigua and Barbuda news and updates.

Uruguayan 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Presidencia de la República-República Oriental del Uruguay) - Summary: The government of Uruguay has released its annual list of official 2017 Uruguayan bank holidays and non-working public holidays in Uruguay for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Uruguay news and updates.

Paraguay Public Sector Holiday December 7 (Source: Portal Paraguayo de Noticias-PPN) - Summary: Paraguay's president, Horacio Cartes, had signed executive decree No.6437 making the afternoon of Wednesday, December 7, 2016, once again a one-off public sector holiday in Paraguay, beginning at 12:00, noon, local time. Links: full story and other Paraguay news and updates.

Jordanian Public Holidays December 12 (Source: The Central Bank of Jordan-Amman) - Summary: Jordanian Prime Minister, Hani Al-Mulki, has issued a circular decreeing a non-working public holiday in Jordan on Monday, December 12, 2016, to commemorate the upcoming annual Jordanian non-working public holiday for the Prophet's birth anniversary. Links: full story and other Jordan news and updates.

India 2017 Uttar Pradesh Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of Uttar Pradesh-Lucknow) - Summary: The Government of India's state of Uttar Pradesh has announced its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other India news and updates.

Bangladesh 2017 Public Holidays Gazetted (Source: Ministry of Public Administration, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh-Dhaka) - Summary: The government of Bangladesh has gazetted the recently-announced list of official non-working public holidays in Bangladesh for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Bangladesh news and updates.

Mauritius Rules-Out January 3 Public Holiday (Source: Mauritius News Information Portal-Port-Louis) - Summary: Mauritius' government has announced that it would not declare Tuesday, January 3, 2017, as a one-off non-working public holiday in Mauritius, as it had done under similar circumstances, 6 years ago. Links: full story and other Mauritius news and updates.

Palau 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Palau Government-Koror) - Summary: The government of Palau has released its annual list of the official non-working public holidays in Palau for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Palau news and updates.

Pakistan Public Holiday December 12 (Source: Pakistan's Ministry of Interior-Islamabad) - Summary: The Ministry of the Interior of the Federal Government of Pakistan has announced that the date for the upcoming Eid Milad-un-Nabi (the Prophet's Birthday), annual non-working public holiday throughout Pakistan for the calendar year 2016, would be Monday, December 12, 2016. Links: full story and other Pakistan news and updates.

China 2017 Public Holidays Released (Source: Government Portal of the State Council of China-Beijing) - Summary: Late last night, China's General Office of the State Council released the official list of non-working public holidays in China in 2017, as well as 2017 bridge public holidays, and compensatory Saturdays and Sundays for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other China news and updates.

Moldova 2017 Public Holidays Extension On Hold (Source: Agentia Informationala de Stat-Moldpres) - Summary: The government of Moldova bill of last autumn, containing an extension to the list of 2017 annual non-working public holidays in Moldova ("cu privire la zilele de odihna în anul 2017"), has been stalled by opposition to it from Deputy Education Minister, Christine Boag, and has been placed on hold "sine die". Links: full story and other Moldova news and updates.

Australia Votes Queensland Easter Sunday Public Holiday (Source: Department of Justice and Attorney-General-State of Queensland) - Summary: Yesterday, the Parliament of Australia's state of Queensland passed an amendment to the Queensland Holidays Act 1983, making Easter Sunday a new annual non-working public holiday in Australia's state of Queensland, beginning in 2017, as had been promised by the Palaszczuk. Links: full story and other Australia news and updates.

Argentina 2017 Public Holidays Reduction Legislation (Source: Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina-Buenos Aires) - Summary: The administration of Argentine President, Mauricio Macri, has sent to Congress a legislative proposal, penned by his chief of staff, Marcos Peña, implementing his recent decision to put an end to the process of declaring one-off non-working public holidays in Argentina ("feriados con fines turísticos") effective next year, for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Argentina news and updates.

Tunisian 2016 Prophet Public Holiday December 12 (Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse-TAP) - Summary: The government of Tunisia (la présidence du gouvernement) has announced that the date for the upcoming Mouled Anabawi Charif (the Prophet's Birthday) annual non-working public holiday in Tunisia, would be Monday, December 12, 2016. Links: full story and other Tunisia news and updates.

India 2017 Rajasthan Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of Rajasthan-Jaipur) - Summary: The Government of India's state of Rajasthan has announced its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Rajasthan for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other India news and updates.

Bangladesh Eid-e-Miladunnabi Public Holiday December 13 (Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha-BSS) - Summary: Bangladesh's Cabinet Division Secretary has announced that the previously-released list of official non-working public holidays in Bangladesh for the calendar year 2016 had been amended by moving the date of the upcoming Eid-e-Miladunnabi (Prophet's Birthday) annual non-working public holiday of Bangladesh, to Tuesday, December 13, 2016. Links: full story and other Bangladesh news and updates.

Romanian 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Mediafax-Bucharest) - Summary: The Government of Romania has released its annual official list of 2017 non-working public holidays in Romania (zile libere si sarbatorile oficiale). Links: full story and other Romania news and updates.

India 2017 Meghalaya Public Holidays Announced (Source: Government of Meghalaya-Shillong) - Summary: The Government of India's state of Meghalaya has announced its annual list of the days which will be non-working public holidays in India's state of Meghalaya for the upcoming calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other India news and updates.

Azerbaijani 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers-Baku) - Summary: Azerbaijan's Cabinet of Ministers has announced the full list of official annual non-working public holidays in Azerbaijan for the upcoming calendar year 2017, including the annual Novruz, Ramadan and Qurban non-working public holidays of Azerbaijan. Links: full story and other Azerbaijan news and updates.

US Virgin Islands 2017 Public Holidays Announced (Source: The Governor's Office-Charlotte Amalie) - Summary: The Governor of the US Virgin Islands, Kenneth Mapp, has released the annual official list of non-working public holidays in the US Virgin Islands for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Virgin Islands, U.S. news and updates.

Brazil 2017 Public Holidays Gazetted (Source: Ministério do Planejamento Orçamento e Gestão-Brasilia) - Summary: The Federal Government of Brazil, through its Ministério do Planejamento, Desenvolvimento e Gestão, has gazetted in the Diário Oficial da União its annual list of the official Brazilian non-working public holidays for the calendar year 2017. Links: full story and other Brazil news and updates.